Annual Report 2014

The Pracheen Kala Kendra which is known world wide for its creative and promotional activities with regard to promotion Indian classical art and culture since its inception in 1956, has registered many strides in multi-level growth, re-exploration of tradition, growing self-confidence and flowering of creative spirit of Indian culture through its sincere and dedicated efforts like previous years.

In continuation with the legacy of our tradition , the year 2014 was also marked by an all round progress in the various cultural and artistic activities foremost among them are the holding of examinations, imparting quality training, conducting of research, organising of cultural programmes by inviting top-notch artists of Indian classical music and dance. It was all possible due to the sincere steps taken by the Kendra team as a result of which it was succeeded not only in maintaining the No. 1 position in the fields of its services but also rededicates itself to further the cause of fine arts. The Kendra’s aim is to develop ways and means by which basic cultural and aesthetic values and perceptions remain active and dynamic among people. A report on the activities of the institution is as under:-

KENDRA’S NEW OFFICE AT NEW DELHI

One of the achievements of the Kendra was the establishment of its new office at Tagore Garden New Delhi. Situated in a centrally located place, the new office is well-connected with all means of transportation i.e. Metro Train, Bus, Taxi, Auto. The building consists of one Guest room as well as sufficient accommodation for office purpose.

WORLDWIDE NETWORK OF CENTRES

The Kendra has a worldwide network of examination centres which specialize in imparting education in the field of art and culture. Its more than 3500 affiliated institutions spread all over the country and abroad including USA, UK, Canada, France, Singapore, Mauritius, UAE, Kuwait, South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc.

EXAMINATIONS

The examinations of Prarambhik, Bhushan, Visharad and Bhaskar conducted by the Kendra are enjoying all-round recognition. Since the Kendra is a recognized institution and its certificates and diplomas are treated at par with degrees by various State Governments/Education Boards/Universities, as a result of which, as many as 3, 13,204 students appeared in different examinations of the Kendra in the session 2013-2014 as compared to the figure of 2, 93,786 appeared during the last session, thereby registering an increase of 19,418 number of students.

TRAINING

Known for imparting quality training in Indian classical music, dance and fine arts (painting) at its both the complexes in Chandigarh and Mohali, the Kendra continued with its effort to educate as well as kindle the interest of young generation in these classical art forms under the guidance of noted teachers of these fields. The Kendra has got the distinction as an approved centre for imparting training in Kathak Dance to foreign students.

The Kendra’s efforts in this direction have also not gone unnoticed by Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The department has regularly been sanctioning salary grants to the Kendra since 1997-98 for payment to the artists.

THE 11TH CEREMONY OF GURU MADAN LAL KOSER – GURU SHOBHA KOSER AWARD

The annual award of Rupees One Lakh instituted by the Kendra to celebrate the creativity and dynamism Koser couple, the founders of the Kendra celebrated its 11th anniversary. This award is a salute to the selfless service rendered by these epitomes of creativity, towards the promotion of classical art and culture. This year the award was bestowed upon Santoor wizard Pt. Satish Vyas for a rare artistic endevour showcased by him in the field of santoor playing, in a glittering function held on Februrary 28, 2015 at Tagore Theatre Chd, attended by the chairman Mr S.K. Monga, Guru Shobha Koser (Registrar PKK), Mr. Sajal Koser (Secretary PKK) and all the members of the governing body of PKK. The cash award of Rs 1 Lacs, a memento, a shawl, a citation was received by Padamshree Pt. Satish Vyas.

THE 44th PRACHEEN KALA KENDRA NRITYA & SANGEET SAMMELAN

The annual event of the Kendra “Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan (formerly known as All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan) saw its 44th session at Chandigarh from March 19 to 22, 2014. The Four-day festival was a grand success which featured internationally acclaimed exponents from the world of the performing arts. They included Ritesh Mishra &amp; Rajnish Mishra (Vocal Recital), RamaVaidyanathan (Bharatnatyam Dance), Harvinder Sharma (Sitar Recital) Dr. Samira Koser (Kathak Dance), Ustad Hashmat Ali Khan, Md. Akram Khan &amp; his son (Tabla TaalTarang), Ronu Majumder (FluteRecital), Satish Vyas (Santoor Recital) and Smt. Kumkum Mohanty &amp; Troupe (Odissi Dance). The accompanists on all the four days were the artists of repute like Ram Kumar Mishra and Akram Khan.

BAITHAK & SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

For the last sixteen years, the Kendra has been taking care of providing a platform among others to the upcoming and talented artistes from the field of performing arts on the 11th of every month it holds Baithak programme besides organizing Special Programmes which now have become a permanent feature of Kendra’s activities.

During the year, some of the artists who performed in Baithak and Special Programmes include Sardool Sikander (Renowned Punjabi Sufi and folk singer), Dr. Samira Koser’s Kathak on World no tobacco day, Purva Puri and her troupe(Kathak Dance), Lovely Sharma(Vocal), Tarun Kumar Nayak(Sarod), Malobika Mondal (Vocal), Dipankar Roy Choudhury (Guitar), Mahalaxmi Shenoy (Vocal) Anshu Thapliyal (Vocal), Payal Ramchandani (Kuchipudi Dance), Neera Grover (Vocal), Reeta Das (Sarod Recital),Muzafar Mulla (Kathak), to name just a few only from long list of artists.

THEATRE WORKSHOP

In line with its tradition, Pracheen Kala Kendra organised its 20th-long production oriented Children’s Workshop on Theatre and Kathak Dance under the guidance of noted theatre artists Parveen Jaggi Nearly 70 students ranging between five to sixteen years of age took part in the workshop which was a great success as in the previous years. In the workshop, the children were given lessons in theatrical arts like make-up, costume designing, stage decoration, speech, body movement, acting, mask-making etc. On the culmination day, the children gave a scintillating performance of the workshop based items.

PUBLIC CHARITABLE AND WELFARE ACTIVITIES

During the year under review, the Kendra undertook a number of public welfare and charitable activities. The Kendra took special interest in the well being of the education, training, recreation and all-round growth of slum children who comprise a vast section of society. The Kendra lay special emphasis on the training and education of handicapped children also who have been physically and psychologically assisted by the Kendra from time to time. A lot of relief and recreation goes into their well being. It has made a distinct difference to the quality of their lives. Kendra is a regular donor to WWF, CRY, Child care etc.

Special scholarships are earmarked for poor and handicapped children and they are imparted free training in music, dance and other allied arts so as to enable them to stand out in the society. Organising of programmes and conferences participating these children is one of the most important activities of the Kendra. This year Kendra honored extraordinarily gifted painter Ms Anu Jain, child prodigy of Kendra for her painting skills as well as for being a torchbearer for others.

ALL INDIA PAINTING EXHIBITION AND WORKSHOP AT PATNA

Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, the premier organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation and dissemination of Indian classical art and culture with a Pan- India presence, organized All-India Painting Workshop at Bihar Lalit Kala Academy, Patna. Leading painters of the country was participated to display their painting prowess in order to elevate and disseminate the noble art of painting.

SPECIAL PROGRAMME IN THE MEMORY OF ITS FOUNDER, LATE GURU M.L. KOSER AT NEW DELHI.

Carrying forward the glowing tradition of uplifting Indian classical art and culture, the Kendra organised a Musical Programme on November 4, 2014 at Muktodhara Auditorium, New Delhi which Featured eminent artists of the country namely Sh. Amitav Chatterjee, Sh. Arnab Bhattacharya, Sh. Debasish Adhikary, Sh. T.A. Mahadevan and Dr. Samira Koser, an eminent Kathak Exponent of Jaipur Gharana. The programme was organized by the Kendra to pay tribute to its founder late Shri M.L. Koser, a great exponent of Tandav dance. The Kendra has decided to name this event as Annual Guru M.L. Koser Music and Dance Festival. Kendra is also planning to organise quarterly musical programmes for the promotion of young and upcoming talented artists.

42nd ANNUAL CONVOCATION at KOLKATA

Pracheen Kala Kendra held its 42nd Annual Convocation on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Mahanayak Uttam Mancha, Kolkata, when successful students of Visharad and Bhaskar final (session 2013-2014) belonging to the eastern region of the country comprising the states of West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tripura and other North-East states was awarded diplomas.

The convocation was split into two sessions – one in the morning from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. while the other was in the afternoon. Ex- Chancellor of Viswa Bharti University, Dr. Sujit Bose was the Chief Guest of the Convocation in the morning session.

As per its tradition, the Kendra, besides awarding the diplomas of Visharad and Bhaskar, also honoured eminent persons from varied fields. After a great amount of scrutiny, three exponents have been chosen for felicitation for their invaluable contribution in their respective fields of specialization. Top on the list are: Eminent Vocalist Ms. Sunanda Patnaik(Lifetime Achievement Award), Dr. Guru Smt. Thankamani Kutty, Bharatnatyam exponent and Sh Subir Sen, renowned singer. They each was honoured with a cash award of Rs. 25,000/-, 11,000/-, a shawl, a citation and a scroll of honour respectively. Besides, an award of Rs. 5001/- instituted in the name of Prodyot Bhadra was also being presented to a young journalist for excellence. Mr. Tarkeshwar Mishra noted Journalist will be felicitated with the said award.

The Convocation was followed by splendid and exhilarating performances by an eminent vocalist; pride of Bengal Mrs. Sunanda Patnaik and Grammy Award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt a Mohan Veena wizard who showcased their rare artistic endeavors.

Future Plans of the PKK

The Kendra has decided to dedicate its sector 35 complex solely as a center of Performing Arts with big class rooms, upgraded Library and Revamped Audio Video Archives. The administrative work will be shifted to Mohali complex which will also have a fully furnished and renovated guest house as well as hostel for students. The auditoriums will also be renovated and basement of Sector 35 complex will be used as an Art Gallery.